gypsies in greece.

the excitement built as i rode the bus towards the gypsy camp.

not sure of what to expect, i was nervous as well.

i got off the bus and looked down a long dirt road.

we loaded into a car and drove down the bumpy dirt road towards the camp.

as we piled out of the car, an overwhelming smell entered my nose.

i was instantly reminded of the time i went to Mexico a few years ago.

 

the houses were made of random tin and stuff that the gypsies dug out of the trash.

the whole camp was full of trash, but the gypsies don't see it as trashy.
it's normal for them.


the kids were welcoming, full of smiles, and hungry for love and attention.

this is George.
i posted about him before.
when we got to the gypsy camp, he looked like he does in the photo above.
after holding him, giving him a kiss on the cheek, and goofing off with him, he looked like he does in the photo below. :)

it's amazing how showing someone love can change them. :)


i really wish i could take him home with me.

in the gypsy camps, kids get married around age 13

and by the time they're 19, most have two to three kids already.

we talked to a 19-year-old father of two.

he said it's kids raising kids.

gypsies have the lowest status out of everyone in Greece.

even the beggars on the streets are "higher class" than the gypsies.
my heart broke when i saw two little girls peeking out of a house.

all i could think about was how they have no hope.

they'll be stuck there for the rest of their lives.

the kids were very welcoming and receptive.

after i got over the initial shock, i had the best time playing with them.

they were so happy, but i knew they had a hard life.

i just wanted to take them all home with me
and give them the love that they don't get from their teen parents.